And I'm back again with another little story.

I hope you'll enjoy reading it. I certainly enjoyed writing this.

Birthday Gift

What do you give the girl that has almost everything, and can buy anything else?

Setting and Time; In high school, just after Buu.

Gohan walked the streets of Satan City, together with his three newest friends, who were talking about something. He wasn't really paying attention, as he was looking around and letting his mind wander for a bit. Until he heard his name that is.

"Does Gohan know?" Erasa asked Videl. "I mean, I know he's your unofficial boyfriend and all, but he hasn't been around for that long. And he doesn't exactly pay attention either, so if you don't tell him, he might simply not know."

Videl glanced over at the guy. "I guess so."

That peeked Gohan's interest. "What are you talking about?" He asked them.

Videl exchanged a little glance with Erasa. "There's a special day coming up." The raved haired girl announced. "I'll give you three guesses to what."

Gohan raised an eyebrow. "Err… a holiday." He tried.

Videl wagged her finger. "Bzzzt, wrong."

"Oh." He looked up at the sky, trying to think of something it could be. A special day coming up… well, there was one thing that came to mind. "Err… the Cell Games Anniversary?" He tried.

"Nope." Videl returned. And then threw her ahdns up in a shrug. "Yeah, well, technically, but that's further away. It's in between."

Before the Cell Games? "My birthday?" He finally tried, taking a wild shot.

"Nope, it's my birthday!" She said proudly. And did a double take. "Wait what? Yours too?"

He nodded. "Yeah, two weeks from now."

"Two…" She paused. "What day?!" She then demanded. "Is it on Wednesday?"

Gohan was dumbfounded. "Yes…"

Videl laughed. "Oh dear Kami, we're only a week apart." She stated.

"Seriously?"

"Yep, my eighteenth birthday is next week."

Gohan laughed. "Wow, exactly a week apart?"

Erasa bumped him. "You two really are meant for each other." She said.

"One week." Videl repeated. "What are the odds on that? Hey, you're celebrating, right?"

"Of course." Gohan nodded. "You can come too, if you'd like. Though there's going to be a lot of…"

"Strange people like you?" Sharpner added. "That's obvious. Anyone our age though?"

"Err… no, actually." Gohan replied. "I said friends, but I guess they are more of my dads friends. But I'm also… it's complicated, I guess." Then he remembered something. "Well, there are two about my age." He continued, thinking of Piccolo and Dende. "But they don't really do parties."

"I'll take your word for it." Videl returned. "Well, if it's not too much of a bother, I think we'll head by sometime. And maybe with dad. And Buu. I think the big guy would love to get together again."

"As long as he doesn't get my dad to fight him again." Gohan replied."

"It's settled then! And consider yourself invited on mine as well." She said. "It's a big party, because… dad wants that, I guess. A lot of people will be coming over, business partners and such, and important people. But unlike you I'm not friends with my dad's friends, so I'd be happy to be able to hang with someone I actually like."

"Ow, shots fired!" Sharpner made a little gun motion with his hand. "Which reminds me, what do you like to have?" He asked Videl.

Erasa shot him a little glare. "You're supposed to surprise her."

Her response came with a shrug. "Last year I got her a necktie, thinking it was a headband." He defend himself.

"In your defence, it really did look like one." Videl laughed. "I guess a little something would be nice. Like, decoration for my room. A little statue, or maybe a poster."

"Alright, gotya." He returned.

'A gift?' Gohan wondered. 'Right… what should I give her? Something personal, I guess…'

"I already got myself covered." Erasa gave the thumbs up." And I'm sure you'll love it."

"Is it chocolates again?"

"Has you ever been disappointed by them?"

"I guess not." Videl replied with a laugh. "So Gohan, what are you going to do today?"

Wow, change of subjects.

"I think I'll head home, and do some fishing with my brother and my dad." He answered.

"I see." She nodded. "Well, when I was your age, I was stopping some highway speeders."

"…What?"

Sharpner snorted, Erasa groaned.

And Videl grinned, nodding proudly to herself.

"My age… oh… I get it…" He returned. "You stopped them last week."

"That was terrible." Erasa commented.

"I thought it was clever." Videl returned.

"One week." Gohan repeated to himself as he flew through the sky. That had come out of nowhere.

Also, Videl was going to come over. He better tell his mother about that one. Maybe he should have a separate party? Meh, all three of them knew the truth, so it wouldn't hurt. Sure, the others were weird, but no more or less than he was.

He hoped.

Well, maybe except for Piccolo, he was green. Dende too. And Vegeta was always so intense. And would rather fight. So did his father, for that matter. And Krillin and Yamcha weren't exactly…

Ok, so they were weird. Big deal. So was Gohan, and he wasn't pretending otherwise anymore. Well, maybe in public, but that was different.

But what about Videl's party? Should he just show up? Well, he guessed so. Buu and Bee were going to be there, so there was that. And Videl, of course.

But what should he give her? Sharpner was right, that was a hard one. What are you supposed to buy the girl who has nearly everything, and can buy anything else?

Something personal, he supposed. But what…

Oh… maybe…

He had an idea.

"Bulma, I need a favour."

"Nice see you too, kiddo."

He grinned, scratching his head.

"I'm just teasing you." She returned. "What is it? Trouble?"

"Well, I need some very specific stuff." Gohan said. "You know Videl, right?"

Bulma nodded. "Yeah?"

"Well, it's her birthday soon."

"Wait, she as well? When?"

"Next week." He answered.

"Then you're only a week apart." Bulma noted.

Gohan nodded. "I know."

Bulma looked up, smiling to herself. "I'd make a joke, say 'when I was your age' and then tell you whatever it was I did last week."

"She did."

"Ha, I like her!" She laughed. "Alright, what do you need? It's for a present, right?"

"I made a list, actually." He pulled a paper from his pocket. "But I have no idea where to get this stuff."

"Let's see… aluminium oxide?" She read out loud. "That's… wait, iron, titanium, chromium, vanadium, magnesium… what in the world are you planning?"

"It's… something special." He wringed his hand slightly. "I hope she likes it."

"I literally have no idea what this is supposed to be." Bulma commented. "Have you considered getting her a teddy bear or something?"

"I wanted it to be special."

"Yeah, it's special, alright." Bulma commented. "I guess you're going to make something, aren't you? Want to impress her that badly?"

He took on a little shade of red.

"Actually, that's a smart move." The woman then continued. "It'll be something unique and personal. I'd guess at something edible, knowing you Saiyans, but these are all metallic, so that one's out."

"Can you get them for me?"

"Sure, just… I'm going to have to get those called over though. This is pretty specific."

"Can you before next week?"

"I'll have it in two days, tops." She gave him the thumbs up. "Do your best."

"Thanks Bulma, I will."

Videl flinched against the bright flashes. She put on what she hoped resembled a smile. The mayor also smiled for the cameras, shaking her hand with one hand, and holding a miniature statue of her in the other, which he was currently handing her.

A statue. What seventeen… eighteen year old would want a… ok, maybe a lot of them would love to have a little statue of themselves, even if it was gilded, and hers was made of pure gold, judging by the weight…

But Videl wasn't one of them. Seven years she spent looking at statues of her father, and the allure was lost on her by now. Especially after learning it wasn't even him who defeated Cell.

But what gift did the mayor of the city have? A tiny golden statue. What made him think she'd like to see a small version of herself made of pure gold on the shelf? Perhaps people assumed she'd have an ego to match Hercule's or something. When she said she'd like something to decorate her room with, this wasn't quite what she had in mind.

But at least it was almost over now. And she had managed to talk her dad out of giving that speech, so she had that going for her as well, which was nice.

The mayor said something, some kind of statement for the reporters. Videl just smiled and nodded, whatever it was he said.

The man walked off the raised platform on which they stood, and Videl handed the thing to a maid. She felt an impulse to just throw it in the garbage, but she decided she wasn't going to be that insensitive.

"Miss Videl!" Someone yelled up, also shoving a microphone as far her way as their arms allowed. "How do you feel now that you're eighteen?"

"Same as yesterday, except now my hands hurt from all the shaking." She replied dryly. "If nobody has anything important to ask, I'd like to get out and sit down for a bit, I've been standing all day."

"Miss Satan, there's a rumour going around that you're dating the new kid from your class, is that true?"

"No." She said shortly. 'Not yet anyway.' "Also, I do not appreciate you people snooping in my private life! Whom I date is none of your concern!"

"Videl, can you fly?"

"I own a copter I use almost daily, so I most certainly hope so." She replied with a small smile.

"You were seen flying away with…"

Videl held up her hand. "That has nothing to do with today." She interrupted. "And for the last time, I will not be answering any questions about that the tournament."

"But the public has a right to know!"

"No, you don't!" She replied.

"Miss Satan." Thankfully someone else spoke up. "Did you receive a gift from the police force?"

"Actually, yes, I did." She returned, happy he asked. "My very own police copter. Which is my old yellow copter with a special coat of paint, but hey, it's the thought that counts." She said.

"How do you feel about receiving gifts on taxpayer's money?" Another interjected.

"Considering I don't get paid for my public work, pretty good I suppose." She returned. "And I think that'll be all for today. Thank you all for coming." She waved at the crowds as she walked to the back.

There were a lot of people, seemed like her father had invited half of Satan City. Seriously, it was getting hot, especially in the long, blue dress she was wearing now. At least it hid her feet, so nobody know she was wearing her regular shorts and shoes underneath.

Hercule came up the platform, kissed her on the forehead and sent her off to the back. He was going to keep the guests entertained for the rest of the day now. It was his party to begin with though, even if it had been 'for her birthday'.

She breathed in the cooler air.

"Miss Videl." The maid from earlier addressed her, holding the statue. "Where would you like me to put it?"

"Ah, I'll take it up my room myself." She took the damned thing. "I'm heading there to change anyway. I guess I've got a dusty corner on my wardrobe it'll fit on."

The maid laughed. "Would you like some refreshments to be brought up?"

"Yeah, thanks." She nodded.

And walked off. In her room she threw off her dress and threw on her shirt.

'There, regular Videl.' She nodded to herself, more pleased with this one. The dress looked good, but it wasn't exactly the most comfortable to wear.

A knock came. "Videl, it's me." Gohan sounded.

"Gohan?" She repeated, and checked the time. "When I was your age I invited you, but I dodn't expect you to be this early."

"I'm early? I guess I am."

Videl frowned a little with her disappointment. She hooped he'd have more of a reaction. "Ah, come in." She answered.

And he did just that. He was wearing his usual school clothes. She did tell him he didn't have to dress up, and could just come in his gi if he wanted to, but she supposed he'd rather wear those instead.

"Have you been waiting for me?" She asked.

"Oh, no, I just arrived." He grinned, scratching his head. And raised his hand.

Screw that, she had shaken way too many hands today as it was. So she pulled him into a hug instead.

"Happy birthday." He said softly.

"Thanks." She smiled up at him.

"And I brought you a little something." He continued. From his bag he pulled a box wrapped in paper.

"Aw, you shouldn't have."

"I hope you like it."

Greedily she pulled the paper off. And opened the box. And blinked… a few times…

Something deep blue glittered just before her eyes. She needed a few moments to realise what she was looking at.

She forced a smile, her lips twitching slightly. 'No way…' She thought to herself. And pulled the contents of the box out.

It was a necklace. And not just any, one with a massive blue gemstone. Clear and see-through, shaped like a pear. And way too big.

Did Gohan really just give her jewellery? And probably fake jewellery at that, considering a real gem that size would cost a fortune. Seriously, that stone was almost the size of her fist. It wasn't plastic, way too heavy for that, so some kind of glass, maybe?

But why this? She had way more jewellery than she knew what to do with. And she never wore any of it anyway, not even today, so what made him think this was something she'd like?

She looked up, looking into his hopeful eyes. "Thanks…"

"You like it?" He asked, a little nervously.

"It's…" She hesitated. "Different…"

"You don't like it?" His face fell.

"I just didn't expect something like this." She replied quickly, not wanting to hurt his feelings. "It's a little strange." She looked at it again, if only so she wouldn't have to look at his face. The necklace itself was a little weird as well. The links were rather large and clucky, and even though it was metallic it wasn't actually made of silver.

'I really hope this wasn't expensive.' She reflected. 'Because he may have been ripped off.'

"Is there something wrong with it?" He asked. "Should I have gone for a brooch instead?"

"No, no, it's not that. I was just looking at it. This isn't silver, is it?"

"No, it's made of tungsten." He answered. "It's a bit heavier, but it's really strong and hard. It won't fade or scratch easily, or stain on your skin like silver tends to do."

"Ah…" She nodded. 'Never heard of it.'

"The gem was tricky though." He continued. "Keeping proper pressure was harder than I thought it'd be."

"I see…" She nodded, absentmindedly. Then snapped up. "Hang, on, what did you say?"

"The gem." He repeated. "It took me a few dozen times before I got it to crystallise properly. And after that the challenge was getting it to be an even shade of blue. But maybe it's still a little too light?"

"Proper pressure?" She repeated. He can't be serious…

"Yeah." He nodded, and put his hands together, as if squeezing something in between them. "I had to be stable, and keep a good amount of heat."

"You're telling me you made this with your bare hands?" She held it up.

"No, I did use a few tools, you know, to carve and form the gem, and to shave the links of the necklace."

"You made a diamond?"

"It's a sapphire."

"You made me a fucking diamond?" She laughed, holding it in both her hands, as if squeezing it. "Oh my… you made this? For me? You made it?" She twirled around. Her mind was spinning, just from trying to grasp the idea on the spot. "This is amazing!" She yelled, holding it up against the light.

"You like it then?" He asked.

"How did you come up with this?" She asked.

"Oh, you know, you said you wanted something personal, so I guess I best make you something myself."

"So you made me a massive diamond." She filled in. And laughed again, long and loudly.

"You do like it then?"

"Gohan, I love it!" She flew up, literally, and embraced him around the neck.

The door flew open. "Hey, birthday girl…" Erasa came. "Oh, Gohan, didn't expect to see you here already."

"Erasa!" Videl almost shouted. "Look what Gohan gave me." She held out her necklace for the other to see.

"That's… nice…"

"He made it for me." Videl added.

"He made it?"

"Yeah, he made a diamond!"

"It's a sapphire." Gohan sounded from behind.

"He can make diamonds?"

"Yes!"

Erasa promptly grabbed both of his hands. "Marry me!"

Videl just laughed. "You wanna marry him for just that?"

"If he can make one, he can make more. We could become rich."

"Like I'm not rich enough as it is." She returned. And put the necklace on. It weighed heavy around her neck. Tungsten, was it? And it's a big gem too.

"It suits you." Erasa commented. "Aw, my gift is going to suck compared to that."

"What you got?"

"Chocolate, some snacks, drinks, a good movie and three friends to enjoy them with." Erasa summed up.

Videl pulled the other into a hug. "Thanks, bestie." She said.

"Happy birthday." Erasa returned. "Oh, and I got this camera."

"You got me a camera?"

"Not for you, you greedy girl. It's for a picture of us. Well, when Sharpner gets here too. Since you said you wanted something to decorate your shelves with I thought it'd be nice."

"I'm up for it." Gohan chimed in.

"You gotta wear that necklace." Erasa told her. "It's beautiful."

"Yeah." Videl agreed. She looked down. "It is."

Erasa bumped Gohan with her elbow. And again, nodding to Videl with her head. Then one more time, downright glaring at him.

"Eh… yeah." He started hesitantly. "It looks good on you."

"Aw." Erasa smiled, and Videl felt a little blush creep up her cheeks.

It was a good day.

Gohan looked at the picture in his hand. The two girls stood in the front, and a little to the sides. Gohan stood behind Videl, one hand in her side, and Sharpner mirrored Gohan. They kinda looked like two couples, and for some reason, Erasa and Videl were happy with it. Which was why this one was printed.

He put it on the desk, right next to the stand upon which a little orange orb with four stars stood. "I guess I made some nice friends." He said softly.

"Gohan!" Chichi yelled.

"Coming!" He returned. He had felt the others arriving already. And honestly, he was a little excited. It'd be the first time for Erasa and Sharpner to see where he lived. Come to think of it, it's also the first time Videl to actually be invited over…

"Hey!" He greeted them.

"Birthday-boy." Sharpner greeted him back, and promptly shook his hand. "Happy eighteen." And handed him a little something. A Saiyaman action figurine. "I thought you'd like it." He added.

Gohan chuckled. "Thanks." He didn't even know those were a thing.

Erasa was next. "Happy birthday, Gohan." She said. "I had no idea what to get you, so I just went with these." She handed him a pile of boxes, with the symbols of various bakeries on them. Judging from the smells, Gohan could expect fresh cookies, cakes and pies.

"Thanks." He repeated. "I think I'll enjoy it."

"By yourself?" Erasa poked fun at him. "You glutton."

"Gohan." Videl addressed him. She was wearing a large, blue shirt, and her heavy necklace. Rather than shake his hand, she reached out and hugged him. "Happy birthday."

"Thanks."

She reached into her pocket, pulling out a small box. "When I was your age, you gave me a homemade necklace." She grinned at him. "Afraid I can't match that. But I hope this at least gets close."

"Your age?" Chichi repeated, in a chuckle.

"She's been doing that for two weeks now." Gohan added.

Chichi laughed. "Aw, you poor boy. Go on, open her gift."

He did just that. "It's a… capsule." He said. "Does it need a lot of space?"

"Nah, just throw it down here." She pointed to the side.

He did so.

And one puff later he found himself looking at a large sofa, with a lamp and a table next to it. There was a square roof over them, with one pillar at one corner. The rest was supported by two massive shelves, each more than two metres high and wide, and filled to the brim with brand new books.

"What?" He was taken aback. "These are…"

"A collection of many of the works from the world's top scientists." Videl added. "And a few fictions, you know, for entertainment. I put some of my personal favourites in there, as well as some I think you're going to like."

Erasa's mouth hung open. "Wow…"

Gohan smiled broadly, unable to repress it.

"You like it?"

"I love it!" He pulled her into a tight hug. "It's great. Thank you so much."

"Videl…" Chichi breathed. "We… we can't accept this."

"Sure you can." Videl returned immediately. "It was your idea."

Gohan turned to his mother. "It was?"

"I said a few science books, or maybe a few of your favourites so you'd have something to talk about." Chichi objected. "This is not what I meant."

Videl's eyes shifted to the side, giving a little guilty smile. "Well, I was trying to find a few good ones to give, but I just couldn't pick. So I got them all. And then I thought, that's a lot of books, that won't fit on his shelf, and things kinda got out of hand from then on.'

"Yeah, no kidding." Erasa stepped into the little hut. "A little more and you'd have an entire library."

"One step more?" Sharpner repeated. "I think this already counts as one." He bend down to the lower ranks. "Hey, I know these, you used to love them a few years back."

"Yeah." Videl replied. "I hoped Gohan might like them too, so we could talk about them."

"I'll give it a shot." Gohan promised.

"Hey!" Erasa exclaimed, pulling a book from the files. "I found a porno."

"What?" Videl perkled up immediately

As did Chichi. "You did what?" She asked.

"No, I didn't!" Videl protested, and glanced at the book Erasa was holding. "That's a biology book, on the autonomy!"

Sharpenr opened it, both glancing in. "Wow, look at these pictures." He noted.

"It has illustrations."

"Sheesh, there are more of those than words." Erasa added, and flipped a page. "Oh my gosh, that's a position?"

Videl's face fell. "You know, I thought it was oddly popular for a biology book." She said evenly.

Gohan glanced back. He could not imagine his mother being ok with that one. But to his great surprise she wasn't stepping up, or going red, or even looking angry at all. She just leaned over against the doorpost, one hand over her mouth, trying and failing to stifle her laughter.

"Well." Videl sounded. "Now I've seen everything."

"Just…" Chichi squeezed out. "…trade it in later for something proper, ok honey?"

"Sure thing mom."

"Can I keep it?" Erasa asked hopefully.

"Sorry, can't trade it in like that."

"Aw…" She put it back on the shelf with a slight pout.

Sharpner grabbed both her shoulders from behind. "I guess I know what to get you for your birthday." He said.

"Don't you dare!"

"I'll give in front of your entire family."

"You wouldn't!"

Videl chuckled. "He would."

Gohan had to agree, Sharpner totally would.

He grabbed Videl lifting her up. "It's wonderful Videl." He said. "Thank you so much."

Videl reached up to her necklace, rubbing it a little. "You're welcome."

"An entire bookcase?" Krillin repeated. "Wow."

Gohan nodded. "Yeah, it's amazing."

"You lucky dog!" Krillin pounded him on the shoulder. "And what is this I hear? You made her a diamond?"

"It's a sapphire."

"But you totally made it?" The other continued. "How did you manage to do that? I tried, but I never got anywhere."

Yamcha settled next to the two. "I guess he used his big brains as well as his power, and I'm afraid we can't match that."

"Hey." Videl settled in as well. "What you talking about? Making diamonds?"

"Yeah, and I think Gohan here's the only one who actually can do it." Yamcha slapped him on the shoulder. And pointed at the necklace Videl wore. "That's the one he made?"

She nodded happily. "It is. Gohan gave it to me when I was his age."

"Wait what? His age?"

"My birthday was last week."

"And he gave it to…" Krillin stopped midway. And the two men laughed promptly.

Gohan rolled his eyes slightly. "It's not that funny." He stated.

"Gohan, that's hilarious." Yamvha objected. "It's beautiful though." He added. "And you make it look even more beautiful."

"Hey now." Krillin intervened jokingly. "No hitting on Gohan's girlfriend. Wouldn't want to get him territorial, now do we?"

"Not unless we want to end up like Cell." Yamcha laughed. "Come on, let's get some beers."

"Sure."

And the two left.

Gohan sighed, watching them go. "I'm sorry about them." He said to videl.

"Don't be." She returned. "It's nice. It's kinda like one big family."

Gohan scratched his neck. "I guess we are."

"I'm not as close to my father's friends though."

"Well, unlike you I practically grew up next to them." He added. "By the way, I did spent an entire year in that time chamber. So technically I'm nineteen now.'

"Your point is?"

"Well, when I was your age…"

"Nooooo." Videl covered her ears as she laughed. Gohan put his hand around her, and she let herself be dragged in and leaned on his shoulder.

"It's a wonderful evening." She said. "I've never seen the sky so clear before. It's beautiful."

He looked up. "Yeah, it is." He said.

"And it's a nice party. Nice people. Aside from Bulma's husband, who I think only came to pick a fight with your dad."

"Saiyans. What can I say?"

Videl laughed softly. Such nice laugh. "You know, I want a party just like this when I'm your age."

Gohan almost snorted. Ah, this girl…

End of Chapter

Thanks for reading. Please, leave me a review and tell me what you liked.